2011 Cubs picks and signings thread

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess whoever we sign, we sign and we'll know this time next week.

[Outshined_One]

AZPhil

 

Word is that Cubs 2011 7th round pick 1B-OF Trevor Gretzky's contract was either voided by the Cubs or was rejected by MLB. The signing was officially reported by the Cubs via the MLB eBis system on July 22, but then the Cubs did not place him on a minor league Reserve List within 15 days, as would be required if everything was OK.

 

Whether the contract was voided because of a pre-existing medical condition (like his torn labrum) or rejected by MLB because of the way it was structured, I don't know, but he is back in California and is now considered "unsigned."

 

The Cubs apparently have now turned their attention toward signing 1B Rock Shoulders (25th round draft pick out of Florida State JC/Manatee CC, who supposedly wants 4th or 5th round money to sign), with the signing of 2nd round pick 1B Dan Vogelbach (with an over-slot bonus) expected to be delayed until the deadline (8/15).

 

More from Jim Callis

 

Told SDState weeks ago he's not coming, but signing still not official. @bmix22: Gretzky came off #Cubs signing list on BA. #mlbdraft

 

It doesn't necessarily sound like the signing was voided. Callis makes it sound more like MLB is attempting backsies on the announcement.

 

We'll see what happens come 8/15.

[davearm2]

The Cubs apparently have now turned their attention toward signing 1B Rock Shoulders (25th round draft pick out of Florida State JC/Manatee CC, who supposedly wants 4th or 5th round money to sign), with the signing of 2nd round pick 1B Dan Vogelbach (with an over-slot bonus) expected to be delayed until the deadline (8/15).

Apparently 25th round talent + HOF name = 4th/5th round money

[toonsterwu]

The Cubs apparently have now turned their attention toward signing 1B Rock Shoulders (25th round draft pick out of Florida State JC/Manatee CC, who supposedly wants 4th or 5th round money to sign), with the signing of 2nd round pick 1B Dan Vogelbach (with an over-slot bonus) expected to be delayed until the deadline (8/15).

Apparently 25th round talent + HOF name = 4th/5th round money

 

 

IIRC, Shoulders was looked at as a top 10-15 round type of talent.

[questionmarkgrace]

AZPhil

 

Word is that Cubs 2011 7th round pick 1B-OF Trevor Gretzky's contract was either voided by the Cubs or was rejected by MLB. The signing was officially reported by the Cubs via the MLB eBis system on July 22, but then the Cubs did not place him on a minor league Reserve List within 15 days, as would be required if everything was OK.

 

Whether the contract was voided because of a pre-existing medical condition (like his torn labrum) or rejected by MLB because of the way it was structured, I don't know, but he is back in California and is now considered "unsigned."

 

The Cubs apparently have now turned their attention toward signing 1B Rock Shoulders (25th round draft pick out of Florida State JC/Manatee CC, who supposedly wants 4th or 5th round money to sign), with the signing of 2nd round pick 1B Dan Vogelbach (with an over-slot bonus) expected to be delayed until the deadline (8/15).

 

More from Jim Callis

 

Told SDState weeks ago he's not coming, but signing still not official. @bmix22: Gretzky came off #Cubs signing list on BA. #mlbdraft

 

It doesn't necessarily sound like the signing was voided. Callis makes it sound more like MLB is attempting backsies on the announcement.

 

We'll see what happens come 8/15.

 

 

I dont get it why let teams sign guys for over slot money just to make the team sweat over whether or not it will be accepted? Stupid Selig.

[TruffleShuffle]

nobody has provided one example of a deal between a rule 4 draftee and a mlb club that was rejected by the commissioner's office.

[Guest]

nobody has provided one example of a deal between a rule 4 draftee and a mlb club that was rejected by the commissioner's office.

 

Matt Purke and the Texas Rangers but those were extenuating circumstances (MLB ran the Rangers).

[Guest]

Rock Shoulders signed!

 

Tampa Bay Online[/url]"]USF’s baseball team was dealt a blow Monday night, as junior college recruit Roderick “Rock” Shoulders agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs, who selected him in the 25th round during June’s MLB amateur draft.

 

Shoulders, a former Brandon High standout, didn’t want to disclose the exact details of Chicago’s offer, but said it was “third round money” with additional funds for his future education, a deal he felt was too good to pass up.

 

Shoulders said he plans to report Friday or Saturday to Chicago’s rookie league affiliate in Mesa, Ariz., and added that “everything is just really exciting ... and I can’t believe it’s all happening right now.”

[Guest]

Yea! We finally signed someone with a better name than the pitcher/catcher duo of Al Albuquerque and Mario Mercedes of some years back.

[TruffleShuffle]

third round money??? jeez. i between this and the high school kid from illinois i feel like we're now overpaying for amateur talent as well as major league talent.

[Little Slide Rooter]

third round money??? jeez. i between this and the high school kid from illinois i feel like we're now overpaying for amateur talent as well as major league talent.

 

I don't mind the splurge, I just hope it doesn't mean that we missed out on a higher target like Vogelbach or Maples.

[Guest]

@jimcallisBA: Maples maybe, Jacquez no, Dunston yes, Scott probably. @bmix22: Who signs w/ #Cubs out of Maples, Jacquez, Dunston, Tayler Scott? #mlbdraft

[Little Slide Rooter]

@jimcallisBA: Maples maybe, Jacquez no, Dunston yes, Scott probably. @bmix22: Who signs w/ #Cubs out of Maples, Jacquez, Dunston, Tayler Scott? #mlbdraft

 

Any recent news on Baez, Vogelsbach, or Zych?

[toonsterwu]

Was wondering what Jacquez's latest tweet was about (Some of the best things in life are worth waiting for), and I guess Callis' comment somewhat acknowledges that.

[davell]

Absolutely LOVE the Shoulders signing. IMO, he's got the second most power in the system now(after Vogelbach, assuming he signs) Figure this means we're not getting Gretzky, but I wanted Shoulders more anyway. As for anyone questioning his signing bonus? Who cares, as long as it doesn't affect us signing others as well. Not to mention, he was probably a 10th round talent or better, just fell due to signability.

 

I thought I saw a Jacquez tweet yesterday that made me think he wants to sign. Just some sort of tweeting back and forth between him and Dunston.

 

Without looking at the list, I want these guys in the fold and figure we get them: Baez, Vogelbach, Zych, and Scott. None of which I'm worried about losing(assuming that guy who reported Scott finally signed is correct anyway) If we can get those 4 and also get Dunston, Maples, Jacquez, Urban, and maybe Zimmer, we'll have had an absolutely unreal draft. Not sure what to expect out of that group, but definitely think we'll get 3 or maybe even more of them. With Maples being the guy I obviously want the most.

[Guest]

third round money??? jeez. i between this and the high school kid from illinois i feel like we're now overpaying for amateur talent as well as major league talent.

 

Shoulders is considered top 10 round talent ($100,000-$150,000 bonus) and there's generally a premium to sign overslot guys who fall as low as he did, so all things considered, I don't really think it's that big a deal if he signed for about $350,000.

[BeerHere]

I don't get the excitement over Shoulders. He was a 20th round pick last year and a 25th round pick this year. That doesn't scream 10th round talent to me. Assume he is 10th round talent, those guys don't turn into quality major league players very often. I hope he pans out but all indications are....he's roster fill.

[Guest]

I don't get the excitement over Shoulders. He was a 20th round pick last year and a 25th round pick this year. That doesn't scream 10th round talent to me. Assume he is 10th round talent, those guys don't turn into quality major league players very often. I hope he pans out but all indications are....he's roster fill.

 

That's the situation of pretty much every draft pick, with the possible exception of the first round. If you're only going to get excited about surefire major leaguers, then following the team's signings might not be for you. Shoulders is a good talent and provides several attributes the organization sorely needs, and his signing is further proof of an organizational commitment to building through the farm. There's plenty to be excited about here.

[SouthSideRyan]

And his name is Rock [expletive] Shoulders

[toonsterwu]

I don't get the excitement over Shoulders. He was a 20th round pick last year and a 25th round pick this year. That doesn't scream 10th round talent to me. Assume he is 10th round talent, those guys don't turn into quality major league players very often. I hope he pans out but all indications are....he's roster fill.

 

I don't think anyone's claiming that Rock is going to be a stud, but he offers legitimate upside at an area we have big needs at. Namely, he offers impact power potential. I mean, he's going to be a top 10 power ceiling guy in our system right off the bat. He's got a good, fluid swing, gets good bat speed. There's a lot to like. Doesn't mean he's going to be a stud, but this isn't like other 20th-25th round first basemen of recent past (Ridling/Bour/Cuneo). Shoulders has significantly better upside.

 

But the most important thing is what T-T noted - it shows that the org is being serious about developing through the system. Whether or not these are the right guys, only time will tell, but the fact that they are trying marks a big difference from the previous ownership regime.

[BeerHere]

I see your point about the commitment to the draft and it makes perfect sense. I am more of a casual follower of the minors and you guys certainly know much more than I do. I guess my feeling is the same as the Raley signing last year. He seemed like a decent enough player and those guys can turn into tradeable pieces down the road, but the likelihood that they contribute directly to the turnaround of the franchise is unlikely.

[Guest]

I don't get the excitement over Shoulders. He was a 20th round pick last year and a 25th round pick this year. That doesn't scream 10th round talent to me. Assume he is 10th round talent, those guys don't turn into quality major league players very often. I hope he pans out but all indications are....he's roster fill.

 

He fell both last year and this year due to signability concerns. He was rated top 10 round talent (kind of ambiguous in and of itself since doesn't specify where in the top 10 rounds) by the industry in both drafts. And you're right, the odds are stacked against a 10th rounder (or even a 3rd rounder) panning out but they are better than a 25th rounder panning out. Hell, I'm sure you know how poor the chances are a first rounder pans out. Doesn't stop people from following Baez and Maples in here.

[Guest]

I see your point about the commitment to the draft and it makes perfect sense. I am more of a casual follower of the minors and you guys certainly know much more than I do. I guess my feeling is the same as the Raley signing last year. He seemed like a decent enough player and those guys can turn into tradeable pieces down the road, but the likelihood that they contribute directly to the turnaround of the franchise is unlikely.

 

That's the gamble with all prospects. You're projecting improvement. Raley was paid equal to where he was expected to be drafted but his secondary stuff never improved as was expected once he became a full-time pitcher. On the flip side, Matt Szczur has made tremendous improvements after giving up football.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I don't get the excitement over Shoulders. He was a 20th round pick last year and a 25th round pick this year. That doesn't scream 10th round talent to me. Assume he is 10th round talent, those guys don't turn into quality major league players very often. I hope he pans out but all indications are....he's roster fill.

 

He fell both last year and this year due to signability concerns. He was rated top 10 round talent (kind of ambiguous in and of itself since doesn't specify where in the top 10 rounds) by the industry in both drafts. And you're right, the odds are stacked against a 10th rounder (or even a 3rd rounder) panning out but they are better than a 25th rounder panning out. Hell, I'm sure you know how poor the chances are a first rounder pans out. Doesn't stop people from following Baez and Maples in here.

 

Even with 1st rounders there's no guarantee, unless you're talking about a Bryce Harper or Steven Strasburg type uber prospect. If you were to take a look at the 1st rounds over the past 15 years, there are a handfull who turned out great, your share of role players, and a handfull of guys you've probably never heard of and likely never will.

[Tryptamine]

From Bruce Miles' blog:

 

Got a tweet from someone today who said a message on No. 1 pick Javier Baez's Facebook page read: "7 days till I start a new life, Chicago coming soon." Take out of that what you will.